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Background: Hospitals may serve as amplifiers of infectious disease rates during outbreak situations. The strict implementation of and compliance with standard precautions (SPs) is the primary strategy for preventing healthcare-associated infections. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge and level of compliance with SPs in a tertiary hospital as a measure of preparedness to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among healthcare workers selected using stratified sampling technique in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data was collected using an adapted, self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25.0. Knowledge and compliance with SPs were assessed using six domains each. Statistical measures for analysis were the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The level of significance was set at p < 0.05.Results: A total of 524 respondents with mean age 38.1 ± 9.7 years participated in this study. Majority, 432 (84.2%) were female and 467 (89.1%) were clinical staff. Overall, knowledge and compliance of SPs were good in 457 (87.2%) and 293 (60.0%) respondents, respectively. Clinical health workers were 2.5 (95% CI: 1.3 – 5.1) times more likely to have good knowledge while respondents with poor knowledge were 0.5 (95% CI: 0.3 – 0.9) timesless likely to have good compliance with SPs.Conclusion: Knowledge of SPs in the studied population was high and compliance was good. Continued education and behavioural change communication are needed to improve compliance especially in the face of a pandemic.

COVID-19 in healthcare workers (HCWs) can result in nosocomial transmission, depletion in available workforce, and enhanced community transmission. This article describes surveillance for COVID-19 in HCWs at a tertiary healthcare facility, and documents the outcomes. A descriptive cross-sectional study of all HCWs identified from surveillance for COVID-19 from March 31 to August 31, 2020 was conducted. Healthcare workers were categorized as high risk and low risk using an adapted WHO Risk Assessment tool. Nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab specimens obtained from high-risk subjects were tested by a reverse transcriptase PCR method. Data were analyzed with IBM SPSS version 25.0 software (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 25.0, Armonk, NY), and results were presented as frequencies and percentages. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. During 5 months of surveillance, 1,466 HCWs with a mean age of 38.1 ± 9.7 years were identified as contacts. On risk assessment, 328 (22.4%) were adjudged high risk. High risk was associated with increasing age (P < 0.001), male gender (P = 0.001), and nonclinical staff (P = 0.002). Following testing, 78 (5.3%) in the high-risk category were confirmed to have COVID-19. There was no record of COVID-19 in HCWs adjudged low risk. Forty-four (56.4%) cases were epidemiologically linked to the community, 20 (25.7%) to patients, and 14 (17.9%) to another HCW. Surveillance and risk assessment are crucial to COVID-19 response in healthcare facilities and revealed HCW infections with predominantly nonoccupational epidemiological links in this study.

Africa was the last continent to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Much of the discourse on Africa's response captured in scientific journals revolves around nations, public health agencies and organizations, but little is documented about how individual healthcare facilities have fared. This article reports the challenges faced in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria, including space constraints, diagnostic challenges, shortages in personal protective equipment and health worker infections. The opportunities and strengths that aided the response are also highlighted. The lessons learned will be useful to similar facilities. More information about health facility response at various levels is needed to comprehensively assess Africa's response to the pandemic.

Background: In the absence of effective vaccines and definitive treatment, non-pharmaceutical interventions, also known as community mitigation strategies (CMS), are needed to reduce the transmission of respiratory virus infections such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the effectiveness of these strategies depends on a knowledgeable population cooperating and adhering strictly to recommended strategies. Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the knowledge and adherence to CMS against COVID-19 in Benin City, the capital of Edo State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted amongst adult residents in Benin City using a self-administered questionnaire for data collection. Eighteen questions addressed knowledge of CMS, while adherence was assessed using 14 questions on a graded scale. Each correct answer was scored giving maximum and minimum scores of 18 and 0 for knowledge and 28 and 0 for adherence, respectively. Scores were converted to percentages with scores 70% and above adjudged as good knowledge of CMS and scores 50% and above adjudged as good adherence to CMS. Data were analysed with IBM SPSS version 25.0 software. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: The mean age (standard deviation) of 577 respondents who participated in the study was 32.5 ± 11.7 years. Overall, 532 (92.2%) respondents had good knowledge, while only 165 (28.6%) demonstrated good compliance with CMS against COVID-19. Christianity was a statistically significant predictor of knowledge of CMS. Income was found to be a significant predictor of adherence to CMS amongst respondents. Conclusion: Respondents demonstrated good knowledge but poor adherence with CMS against COVID-19 in Benin City, Edo State. Behaviour change communication is advocated to ensure that mitigation strategies are effective.

Background: Molecular detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2) is at the forefront of the global response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, molecular diagnostic capabilities are poorly developed in many African countries. Efforts by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and other public health agencies to scale up facilities for molecular testing across the continent are well documented, but there are few accounts from the laboratories at the frontline. Intervention: As part of an institutional response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria, signed a memorandum of understanding with a World Bank-supported institution to obtain a non-proprietary testing platform, renovated an existing molecular virology laboratory and validated the test process to make SARS-CoV-2 testing readily available for decision-making by frontline health workers. These efforts resulted in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital’s inclusion in the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control COVID-19 molecular laboratory network. The laboratory achieved a turnover of 12 123 tests within 7 months of operation. Challenges faced and dealt with include incompatible equipment, limited skilled manpower, unstable (unreliable) electric power supply, disrupted procurement and supply chain, and significant overhead costs. Lessons learnt: Molecular diagnostic capability is essential in laboratory preparedness for pandemic response and can be achieved by establishing collaborative networks in low-resource settings. Recommendations: Molecular diagnostic capabilities attained during the COVID-19 pandemic should be maintained by governmental support of the local biotechnology sector, collaboration with partners and stakeholders and the expansion of diagnostics to include other diseases of public health importance. © 2021. The Authors.

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic presents an opportunity for the Nigerian health system to harness the potentials available in the private sector to augment the capacity within the public health system. This survey was carried out to assess private facility readiness in providing screening services in Edo State. Methods This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out among private facilities in Edo state. Facilities were selected using stratified sampling technique. Data was collected using adapted questionnaires and an observational checklist. Facility readiness was assessed using the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control recommendations for screening. Parameters were scored and overall scores were converted to proportions. Facilities that scored 70% and above were adjudged to be ready while facilities that scored 69% and below were adjudged to be not ready. Results A total of 252 health facilities were assessed, comprising 149 (59.1%) hospitals/clinics, 62 (24.6%) pharmacies and 41 (16.3%) laboratories. One hundred and forty-two (95.3%), 60 (96.8%) and 41 (100.0%) hospitals/clinics, pharmacies and laboratories, respectively had hand hygiene facilities. However, overall facility readiness assessment scores for screening services were low with only 51 (34.2%) hospitals/clinics, 2 (3.2%) pharmacies and 2 (4.9%) laboratories achieving high enough scores to be adjudged ready for screening services. Conclusion Overall facility readiness of the private health sector to provide screening services in Edo State was assessed to be low. The government and facility owners will need to ensure that screening services are improved in all facilities to help mitigate community spread of COVID-19.

Introduction this report is a documentation of a staff risk stratification programme, undertaken in University of Benin Teaching Hospital, with outcomes, and the actions taken to protect staff. Methods an adapted risk stratification tool was circulated to all staff through their respective heads of departments/units. Staff were expected to voluntary assess their health and risk status in the context of COVID-19, using the tool. A central multi-disciplinary screening committee assessed submissions and invited staff who required further evaluation for physical interviews. Respondents were categorized into three risk/exposure groups from lowest to highest - A, B, and C, based on their individual health assessments, occupational exposures, and information obtained from direct interviews. Results the committee received submissions from 746 staff, representing 19.4% (about a fifth) of the hospital's 3,840 staff. One hundred and twenty two of these were invited for physical interviews, of whom 88 (72.1%) were categorized as high risk (Category C): pregnancy (53.4%); bronchial asthma (19.3%); hypertension (11.4%); cancer (3.4%) and sickle cell disease (2.3%); fractures and pulmonary tuberculosis (1%, respectively). These staff were recommended for redeployment from areas of high risk exposure to COVID-19. Conclusion a management-driven risk assessment of hospital staff in preparation for the COVID-19 pandemic revealed that a fifth of staff assessed themselves as being vulnerable to adverse outcomes from exposure. It is our hope that similar risk stratification programmes will become standard practice in healthcare facilities during disease outbreaks, especially in Africa.

Objectives Kaposi sarcoma (KS) shows greater geographic variation in incidence than almost any other vascular tumor globally. KS is common in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa accounting for 9% of all diagnosed cancer cases in men in the early 1990's in Uganda and Zaire. KS is classified by the World Health Organization as a borderline vascular tumor. We aimed to determine the trends and histopathological patterns of KS as seen in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital in Benin City, Nigeria, and to compare with similar work in other centers. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of all histologically confirmed KS seen over a 20-year period at the Pathology Department of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Results A total of 269 histologically diagnosed vascular tumors were analyzed. Of these, borderline tumors constituted 30.9% (n = 83). KS constituted 79 (95.2%) out of the 83 borderline vascular tumors. Out of the 79 cases of KS, 76 (96.2%) cases were confirmed in HIV/AIDS patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy. The male to female ratio of KS was 1.1:1.0 while the mean age was 39.2±3.6 years. There was a sharp rise in the trend of KS from 2005 to a peak in 2008. The leg and foot region was the most common site of occurrence. There were two cases seen in the cervical lymph node in the pediatric age group. Conclusions KS was the most common borderline vascular tumor with almost all cases confirmed as HIV/AIDS patients. The mean age of presentation was in the fourth decade of life with a sharp rise in its incidence from 2005 with a peak incidence in 2008. This was followed by a slight decline from 2009 to 2013. Mixed and nodular KS were the most frequently encountered types and patterns, respectively.

Employee satisfaction is increasingly recognized as a measure that largely determines the productivity and efficiency of health institutions. This study assessed employees’ satisfaction with preparedness for, and response to COVID-19 in a tertiary hospital in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study using mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) for data collection from employees at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City. Quantitative data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25.0 while qualitative data were analyzed thematically using ATLAS. ti software. The statistical measures for the quantitative analysis were the adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. A total of 590 respondents with mean age 38.9 ± 9.7 years and 20 focus group discussion (FGD) participants participated in the study. Overall, 368 (62.4%) of employees were satisfied with the measures put in place to combat COVID-19 in the facility. Staff were most satisfied with infection prevention and control measures (72.9%) and information and education communication (IEC) on respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette (67.8%). Age of respondents

Introduction The burden of HPV-related Head and Neck Cancers (HNC) has been rising in the U.S. and other developed countries but this trend has not been reported in Africa. Objective of study was to evaluate the prevalence of HPV infection in HNC cancer cases seen between 1990 and 2011 at the tertiary health care institutions in Nigeria. Methods We retrieved 149 head and neck cancer formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tumor specimens diagnosed between 1990 and 2011 from four teaching hospitals in Nigeria. One hundred and twenty-three blocks (83%) contained appropriate HNC for analysis while DNA extraction was successful in 60% (90/149). PCR amplification was successful in 33% (49/149) and Linear Array genotyping for HPV was successful in 11% (17/149) of these cases. These were in tumors from the larynx (6), cervical lymph nodes (3), nasal cavity (2), parotid (1), palate (1), maxillary sinus (1) and mandible (1). Two cases were non-specific and none were from the oropharynx. Histologically, 41% (7/17) of the successfully genotyped blocks were squamous cell carcinomas (larynx 6, maxillary sinus 1). Results and Conclusion We were unable to detect HPV in any of the HNC samples in our study. Our result may suggest that there is a low prevalence of HPV-related HNC among the adult population in Nigeria. Our results provide a benchmark to compare future incidence of HPV -related HNC in this community in future. We had significant analytical challenges from possible poor tissue processing and urge that future studies should prospectively collect samples and ensure high quality sample processing.

Background: Despite the increasing incidence of colorectal cancer in Nigeria, there is no established colorectal screening program in Nigeria and only a few studies have been done on the pathologic features of colonoscopic biopsies in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The lower gastrointestinal tract biopsy specimens were assessed in the histopathology surgical day books. The demographic information on the age and sex and the clinical information, presenting complaints and endoscopic findings were obtained from the original request cards. All of the archival slides were retrieved and reviewed with the diagnosis confirmed. Also, all available formalin fixed and paraffin embedded tissue blocks of lower gastrointestinal colonoscopic biopsies were sectioned at 3-5μm and stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Each lesion was diagnosed based on specific pathologic findings, clinical history and endoscopic findings as a guide. Neoplastic lesions were classified using the World Health Organization classification (2010]. Study Design: The study aims to describe the common lesions diagnosed on lower gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy. The clinical history, endoscopic findings, slides, and paraffin-embedded blocks of all endoscopic biopsies of the lower GI tract seen from 2008 to 2012 were studied, and data obtained were analyzed using the SPSS version 16 software. Results: Two hundred and forty-nine specimens were studied. Fifty-seven (22.9%) of these biopsies were normal colonic mucosa and 192 (77.1%) of these biopsies had remarkable pathologies. The most common clinical indication for colonoscopy in this study was hematochezia and over half of these patients (48.6%) had malignant lesions. The most common lesions seen on endoscopy were polyps which were seen in 18.5% of cases. Seventy (36.5%) of these lesions were malignant, with epithelial cancers 67 (95.7%) being the vast majority. Thirty-five (18.2%) of the lesions were benign neoplastic lesions, 52 (27.1%) were inflammatory lesions, 18 (9.4%) were inflammatory bowel disease, 10 (5.2%) were hyperplastic polyps, and 7 (3.6%) were vascular lesions. Conclusion: A wide spectrum of lesions was diagnosed in this study with the predominant lesion diagnosed being malignant neoplastic lesions. The most common clinical indication for endoscopy was hematochezia with over half of these patients having a malignant lesion.

Cervical cancer is a common and important public health problem in developing countries. Even though many developed countries have achieved significant successes in reducing invasive cervical cancer burden, the burden in developing countries is still worrisome. Currently, cervical examinations and Papanicolaou (Pap) tests remain the screening method of choice for most women in many parts of Africa. Molecular diagnostic tests for human papillomavirus (HPV) can augment screening for cervical cancer when used in conjunction with the Pap smear. Due to the inherent limitations of morphologic interpretation and borderline cases, the atypical squamous cells (Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance [ASCUS] and Atypical Squamous Cells cannot rule out High Grade [ASC-H]) were introduced and this led to significant colposcopic follow-up and/or treatment of these women. p16INK4a is an efficient triage method; the dual staining with Ki-67 was introduced mainly to increase reproducibility and specificity compared with stand-alone p16INK4a staining. Diffuse p16INK4a immunostaining is the hallmark of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions regardless of HPV status.

Hepatoblastoma is the most common primary malignant hepatic tumour in children, occurring between the ages of 6months to 3years. It most often presents with a painless abdominal mass discovered accidentally in young children. Occurrence in adolescents and adults is rare and is usually associated with non-specific symptoms which often result in delayed diagnosis and commencement of treatment. Abdominal pain preceding a rapidly progressive abdominal mass is a common pattern observed in adolescents and adults. The histologic type commonly seen in adults is associated with a poor prognosis. We report the case of a sixteen year old girl who presented with abdominal pain and distension and jaundice of a short duration. She was well-nourished with marked hepatomegaly and ascites. Hepatic transaminases were highly elevated with deranged clotting profile. She developed features of hepatic encephalopathy and died on the seventh day of admission. A Post-mortem histologic diagnosis of hepatoblastoma was made. Key words : Hepatoblastoma, adolescent, poor prognosis

Cardiac rhabdomyoma (CR) is a rare tumor commonly associated with tuberous sclerosis. They are often detected prenatally or in early infancy. The case of a Nigerian human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-exposed neonate with CR who presented with supraventricular tachycardia and cardiovascular collapse is presented. The infant was born to a mother on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The possible role of HIV and HAART in CR etiology and the difficulty in the management of this case are highlighted.

Objective: To determine the pattern of Her-2/neu status among breast carcinoma in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemical staining for Her-2/neu was performed on 10% formalin-fixed, paraffinembedded primary carcinoma of the breast from 83 patients, between 2003 and 2007 using anti-Her-2/neu rabbit polyclonal antibody (DakoCytomation, CA, USA) and reactivity detected by an avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase method. The clinicopathologic parameters analyzed were patients’ age, histological types, and tumor grade. The Her-2/neu Dako scoring system was used.Results: During the 5-year period, 83 histologically confirmed cases of invasive breast carcinoma were assessed for Her-2/neu status. These included 67 (80.7%) cases of invasive ductal carcinoma, nine cases of invasive lobular carcinoma (10.8%), three cases of medullary carcinoma (3.6%), two cases of papillary carcinoma (2.4%), and a case each of mucinous and clear cell carcinoma (1.2%). Mean age of patients was 48.9 ± 13.6 years with an age range of 25 to 83 years. Only nine (10.8%) cases showed immunopositivity for Her-2/neu. Seven of these were cases of invasive ductal carcinoma, while two were invasive lobular carcinoma. Tumors were predominantly high grade with grade III, II, and I accounting for 42, 28, and 13 cases, respectively. There was no significant correlation between patient age, the various histological types, tumor grade, and Her-2/neu positivity.Conclusions: This study indicates that Her-2/neu may not be useful in defining the prognosis of breast cancer in this environment. Nevertheless, it highlights the need for routine immunostaining for Her-2/neu before institution of trastuzumab (Herceptin) therapy.

Context The incidence of breast cancer in Nigerian women has been rising since the mid 1970s and it is now the commonest malignancy in Nigerian females. The need for diagnostic approaches that take into cognisance the demographic and socio-economic uniqueness that fuels the high prevalence of this disease in our environment cannot be overemphasised. Objective This is a prospective study to determine the cost effectiveness of the introduction of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) on the cost of care of women with palpable breast masses in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH). Method One hundred and three (103) consecutive FNAC of palpable breast masses were performed on 98 patients referred from the surgical outpatient clinic between January 2005 and March 2006. Comparison was made with subsequent histological diagnoses in order to ascertain the diagnostic accuracy of the procedure and later, determine savings made by the introduction of the procedure compared to hitherto only available option of open surgical biopsy. Results The impact of the introduction of FNAC on the cost of care of patients with breast lumps was assessed and it is established that a reduction of between N7,000 and N15,000 in expenses incurred by these patients was achieved and also a direct impact on patient compliance and reduction in number of surgical cases was noted. Conclussion The introduction of FNAC was found to be useful in the reduction of cost of management of all categories of patients with breast lumps. Key words: Fine needle, breast cancer, cytology, cost.

Context Biopsies provide histological diagnosis and as such may guide subsequent management of breast lumps. Regular audit of such biopsies are necessary to document epidemiological pattern of the histological diagnosis within a population. Objective To review the histological diagnoses of breast biopsies in two referral centres in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Methodology This is a descriptive analysis of retrospective data obtained from the Central Hospital Warri and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, all in the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria between 2005 and 2010. Results Data on 367 biopsies were analysed. Patients with benign diagnoses aged in range between 14 and 48 years and those with malignant conditions between 20 and 85 years. Fibroadenoma was the commonest histological diagnosis (36.0%) with a mean age at diagnosis of 22.9 5.5 years. Just one case of fibroadenoma was recorded beyond 36 years. years. Malignancies were seen in 29.4% of biopsies with Invasive ductal carcinoma being the dominant histological type, 89.8%. The mean age at diagnosis of breast cancer was 46.0 12.1 years. Incidence of malignant findings ranged from less than 1 in 10 biopsies below 30 years, 1 in 2 biopsies at the 31-35 years age range to nearly unit in those 56 years and above. Conclusion Fibroadenoma is the commonest breast biopsy finding in the referral centres in the Niger Delta. Breast cancer occurs commonly among premenopausal women. Key words: Breast, Biopsy, Fibroadenoma, Invasive ductal carcinoma.

Context Cervical cancer despite being largely preventable, is still the leading cause of gynaecological cancer related death among females in developing countries. Identification of risk factors will help to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with cervical cancer. Methodology This was a prospective study involving four hundred and eighty five women consecutively selected among the women attending gynaecological clinic at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin- City. Results The prevalence of cervical intraepithelial lesion in this study was 20.6%. A total of 216 (44.9%) of the women were aware of cervical cancer and only 32.4% were aware of cervical cancer screening while only 13.5% ever had at least a Pap smear testing. Premalignant cervical lesion was significantly higher among women 30 years and older and lower socioeconomic class with a significant linear trend in each of these groups. High parity especially vaginal delivery, cigarette smoking and having had a previous Pap testing were each associated with increased risk of abnormal Pap smear. First marriage before 20 years of age and lifetime partners in excess of four were associated with increased risk of abnormal Pap smear. Conclusion the study demonstrated that high parity and women over 30 years of age (especially those who married earlier than 20 years of age) had a higher yield of cervical premalignant lesions. Key Words: Risk Factors, Cervical intraepithelial lesions.

Background : Colorectal cancer is a major cause of cancer death worldwide, and the prevalence in Nigeria appears to be increasing due to a shift to western diets. We undertook a retrospective analysis of colorectal cancers seen at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City from January 1983 to December 2002. Methods : One hundred and two cases involving the large bowel were encountered. These were analysed for age, sex, site, histological type and clinical features. Results : The mean age was 44.5 +/-4.5 years. Males accounted for 56 (54.9%) cases, while 46(45.1%) were females. Seventy two (70.2%) of the tumours were located in the rectum. Adenocarcinoma was the predominant histological type, with 89 (87.2%) cases. Fifty two (51%) cases presented with intestinal obstruction. Conclusions : Conclusion, colorectal cancers are not rare in our environment as previously believed, though, the frequency in Benin City is relatively low.

Background: Vasoformative tumours are one of the commonest tumours in childhood. The patterns of these tumours in Benin City, however, are not known. Objective: To determine the incidence and morphological patterns of childhood vascular tumours as seen in the Department of Pathology University of Benin Teaching Hospital (U.B.TH), Benin City. Method: The study was a 23year (January 1986 – December 2008) retrospective analysis of all histologically confirmed vascular tumours in children aged 0-14years in the Department of Pathology University of Benin Teaching Hospital (U.B.TH), Benin City.Results: 82 vascular tumours occurring in 48 males and 34 females were reviewed. This comprised 71 benign cases (56 haemangiomas, 15 lymphangiomas), 7 tumours of intermediate grade (5 haemangioendodethelioma and 2 haemangiopericytoma) and 4 malignant cases (Kaposi sarcoma). Vascular tumours were commonest in infancy and early childhood and most of the tumours were located in the head and neck region of the body.Conclusion: Vascular tumours are relatively common during the childhood period in our environment and the morphological patterns are similar to those found by previous investigators.Key words: Childhood, Vascular tumours, Haemangioma, Kaposi’s sarcoma.

Churg Strauss syndrome is a medical condition of unknown aetiology characterized by asthma, eosinophilia and finally vasculitis involving small vessels in the limbs and nasal sinuses and the lungs. The purpose of this review is to highlight the natural history of this condition, the pathogenesis, clinical features and treatment modalities available and the prognosis. Literature on the subject was reviewed using manual library search, articles in journals, internet search and conference abstracts. Churg Strauss syndrome has been reported to be predominantly common in middle aged individuals in their middle age of life with a history of new onset or worsened asthma. The condition has a male predisposition. Prior to the advent of steroid therapy this condition invariably leads to death, but since the introduction of prednisolone therapy and other immunosuppressive therapy, the outlook has improved for sufferers and long term survival has been seen. Suspicion of this condition should be based on a good history, physical examination and laboratory investigations and diagnosis based on the criteria that has been drawn by the American College of Rheumatology. K eywords: Asthma, Churg Strauss syndrome, Eosinophilia, Vasculitis.

Background: Teratomas are neoplasms which originate from pluripotent stem cells. They are composed of a wide variety of tissues foreign to the organ or anatomic site in which they arose. This study sought to determine the clinical manifestations and outcome of treatment of childhood teratomas. Method: A retrospective analysis of the case files of children treated for teratoma at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital Benin City, Nigeria between January 1999 and December 2008 was done. Results: Fifty-three children aged between 5 days and 16 years, comprising 15 males and 38 females with male:female ratio of 2:5 were treated for teratoma; gonadal 27(50.9%) and extragonadal 26 (49.1%). Ovarian, 23 (43.4%) and sacrococcygeal, 17 (32.1%) sites were frequently involved. Other sites included testicular, 4 (7.5%), retroperitoneal, 4 (7.5%) and renal, 2 (3.8%), while posterior mediastinal, cervical and breast involvement were 1 (1.9%) each. Despite late presentation, no frankly malignant primary teratoma was diagnosed. Benign cystic teratomas with malignant elements comprising yolk sac tumour and immature neuroepithelial elements (mixed germ cells tumour) were the major histological types. Complete tumour resection that included total coccygectomy, oophorectomy and orchidectomy, plus combination chemotherapy using vincristine, actinomycin, and cyclophosphamide was curative in 25 (47.2%) children. Eighteen (34%) cases of recurrence were all malignant. They presented very late with rapid disease progression that resulted in 10 (18.8%) deaths during the five years of follow-up. Conclusion: Although all primary teratoma were benign, recurrent malignant tumours with rapid progression to carcinomatosis, multiple organs failure and deaths were common in childhood teratoma. We advocate close follow-up of all children with teratoma to detect and commence early treatment.

Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), a technique for obtaining cellular material for cytological examination and diagnosis using a 21- gauge or smaller needle, is performed using a 5, 10, or 20ml syringe either freehand or using special syringe holders. It allows a minimally invasive, rapid diagnosis of tissue samples but does not preserve its histological architecture.

No Abstract. West African Journal of Medicine Vol. 26 (3) 2007 pp. 247-250

Background: Conventionally, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is considered to be more common in western countries. Nevertheless, it is relatively rare in most developing countries. Aim: The purpose of this study is to determine the frequency and morphological patterns of IBD in Benin City, Nigeria, and to compare our findings with the reports from other centers. Materials and Methods: The study is a four-year analysis of 32 histologically confirmed cases of IBD, presenting at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and a private specialist gastroenterology hospital, based in Benin City, Southern Nigeria. Both centers serve as referral centers to most hospitals in South-Southern Nigeria. All suspected patients were examined with rectosigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy after obtaining consent. These specimens were formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, sectioned at 3-5 microns, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H and E). Results: In this four-year study, there were a total of 78 suspected cases, of which 32 were histologically confirmed IBD cases. Among the 32 patients, 14 (43.8%) were cases of Crohn's disease (CD), while 12 (37.5%) were cases of ulcerative colitis (UC). The remaining six patients (18.7%) were with indeterminate colitis (IC). A total of 21 males and 11 females presented, giving a ratio of 1.9:1, with a mean age of 51.1 years ± 7.2 standard deviation (SD). In CD, seven cases constituting 53.9%, had ileocolonic involvement. In UC, six cases involved left-sided colitis, accounting for 50%. Conclusion: IBD was twice more common in males than females, with majority of involvement in both the colonic and ileo-colonic anatomic sites. However, there is a slight higher preponderance of CD than UC in this environment.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) of the breast is quite rare. Even rarer is DFSP of the male breast. The purpose of this article is to report a case of DFSP of the left breast in a 32-year-old man. This is with a view to creating awareness about this rare clinical condition. This is expected to aid clinicians in making an early diagnosis and ensuring prompt management of the condition.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000578.]., (Copyright: © 2023 Ogboghodo et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)